The following topics are the most common concerns that are raised, when communities evaluate the opportunity and potential impacts of hosting a renewable energy facility in their area. Here you can find related research from both the renewable energy sector and qualified third party sources.
General Information
Survey of Complaints Received by Relevant Authorities Regarding Operating Wind Energy in Alberta, published July 2013, Pembina Institute webpage PDF
Compensation
Negotiating Renewable Energy Leases, published February 2017, Farmer’s Advocate Office, Alberta Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry webpage PDF
Landowner’s Guide to Wind Energy in Alberta, published Sept 2010, Pembina Institute webpage PDF
Construction
Important considerations for municipalities when working with developers on the construction plan for a new project may include:
Traffic (including speeding, parking, and related bylaw exemptions or enforcement)
Local access across or around construction-impacted areas
Public Safety
Local Employment
Community relations (examples include night-life, policing, rental housing stock, participation in local events)
Consultation
Capital Power, in partnership with the Pembina Institute, is currently engaging Albertans in consultations to understand the best ways to continue building social support for wind energy development in the province. webpage PDF
Decommissioning
Decommissioning wind and solar facilities involves some uncertainty, as this has not yet occurred given how new most of these projects are, and the long-term value of the contracts involved. However, recently the decommissioning of Canada’s first wind farm took place here in Southern Alberta. The process was expertly handled by the site owner, TransAlta, and its contractors.
Canada’s first wind turbines to be dismantled this April, published March 2016, Pincher Creek Echo
Decommissioning Canada’s oldest wind-farm, published March 2017, Wind Engineering & Development
Environment and Wildlife
Environmental Impacts of Wind Power, updated March 2013, published by the Union of Concerned Scientists webpage
Nature Canada: Impacts of Wind Energy on Bird Populations webpage
Wind Energy Bird & Bat Monitoring Database, a joint initiative of CanWEA and Environment Canada webpage
Wildlife Directive for Alberta Wind Energy Projects, published January 2017, Alberta Ministry of Environment and Parks PDF
Health
The Potential Health Impacts of Wind Turbines, May 2010, by the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health PDF
Wind Turbines and Health; A Critical Review of the Scientific Literature, published Nov 2014, Journal of Occupational Health & Environmental Medicine webpage
Wind Turbine Noise & Health Study; Summary of Results, published 2015, Health Canada webpage
More resources related to wind energy and health at CanWEA.ca
Impact on Views
Wind Energy Landscapes, published 2012 by Macalester College, Minnesota webpage
Are Aesthetics a Good Reason Not to be a Fan of Wind Power? Scientific American, webpage
Property Values
The Effects of Wind Turbines on Property Values in Ontario, published May 2015, University of Guelph/ Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics Report
Related University of Guelph press release
